Mac calls foul on AO calendar expansion

Outspoken John McEnroe has slammed the Australian Open expansion to a 15-day event as a money grab which will benefit only organiser – not players.

The former Grand Slam champion who has made his name as a celebrated television commentator, expressed his outrage to ESPN.

The Open has moved the starting day to Sunday, scheduling 16 matches and running out the first round to a leisurely three days – the same as Roland Garros.

But the plan outted by AO boss Craig Tiley as a way to help players with their match scheduling and hopefully cut out late-night, post-midnight finishes, is a non-starter according to Mac.

“First of all, it’s a money grab as far as I’m concerned,” he said in a conference call with American broadcaster ESPN.

“They just found another way to make some money. I don’t agree with it. I’m a commentator. No one’s particularly concerned about my feelings.

“The players, if they accept it and they’re getting something from it, like some money for their pensions or retirement for some players that don’t have insurance, I would say that’s a good thing that they have added an extra day.

“I don’t think that has happened (players getting more money), just like it didn’t happen at the French Open. I completely disagree with it.

The 64-year-old added: “That’s probably me being selfish that I have to be away from home an extra day or two,”

Like many other Tour events, the Open has been a hotbed of late matches, with the most memorable Lleyton Hewitt’s wrapup after 4:40 a.m. in 2008.

Even last week’s United Cup in Sydney and Perth featured finishes which ran almost to the 2 a.m. hour.

Melbourne officials insisted they are on the case and will schedule only two matches during the day on showcourts and two at night.